Ambassador’s Remarks Pediatric Wing Inauguration in Morazán
July 13, 2007

Last year’s New Horizons exercise in Morazán was the tenth joint engineering and medical military exercise carried out in El Salvador.  

As a result, hundreds of children have access to more secure and comfortable classrooms in three schools built according to earthquake-proof standards. 

Also, thousands of people have secure access to health services in two newly built clinics in Morazán.

This pediatric wing that we are inaugurating today is a legacy of the New Horizons program.

The infrastructure resulted from the hard work of American and Salvadoran military and civilian hands, Luxemburg, joined in the efforts to get the medical equipment for the children of Morazán. 

While this clinic was being built, the New Horizons participants they treated some 15,000 people.

On one of these trips, in the town of Corinto, an American Doctor found a six-month-old baby in very serious condition as a result of serious malnutrition, and persistent diarrhea. 

Baby Alexander needed immediate pediatric attention.  Since there was no facility to treat him in Morazán, a U.S. military helicopter transported him to the children’s hospital in San Salvador. 

Alexander and other children like him now have access to quality pediatric treatment, near their homes. 

New Horizons strengthens the bonds that unite the United States and El Salvador. 

Together we are building a stronger El Salvador and a more hopeful future for Salvadorans, including tangible works like this that improve the quality of life of the people of Morazán.